Chapter 44
Finally Hitomi thought. She was currently putting her things inside her traveling bag. Today she was finally being released from the hospital after two, very long weeks. One more week and she would have gone bonkers, she knew it.
She still would need to take it easy for a few more weeks, but her doctor had already cut down that time from four to three weeks, so it was looking good on her end.
It was actually good because it would give her time to plan something she wanted to do for a while now.
A knock on the door made her look over her shoulder. The door opened to reveal Tim walking in.
"Hey." he greeted her. "Ready to head out?"
"You betcha." Hitomi and put away the last of the few pieces of clothes that she had at the hospital. Turning around she gave him a toothy grin. "And are you here to kick me out?"
He chuckled. "Yeah, something like that. But I also brought you your last breakfast here."
He held up a pillbox and Hitomi let out a groan. She had to swallow iron preparations for two weeks now. Well at least it would be last time. Hitomi snatched the pills and washed them down with a sip from her water bottle.
"There, happy?" she asked.
"Tremendously." he said dryly. "Though there's still one thing that we need to do. Sorry hospital rule."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
He opened the door to reveal a wheelchair.
"Oh no no no no no." she said. "NO! I'm not going to sit in one of these. No freaking way."
"Sorry. But the rules are quite clear." he told her. Hitomi looked at him in defiance for a few more moments before sighing and grabbing her bag. She sat down in the wheelchair and laid the bag on top of her lap.
Tim got behind it and pushed her down the hallway and into the elevator, which they rode down to the first floor. He wheeled her over to the reception and the woman behind it handed her a clipboard with a piece of paper she had to sign.
Her discharge papers.
Signing on the dotted line she handed it back and noticed the strange look that the woman was giving Tim. They continued onward towards the entrance.
"Say, is that really in the rules? The wheelchair thing?" she asked.
Tim chuckled. "Hell no. Maybe in America but not here. But letting the chance slip to chauffeur you around in one of these? Never."
"Argh!" Hitomi puffed her cheeks in annoyance and tried to get up, but they already reached the entrance.
"Too late. And look who's here." Hitomi peered ahead and saw her father standing nearby, leaning against his car.
"Papa!" she called and finally got up. She turned around for a second. "Thanks. And take care." she told Tim.
"Sure. See you around. But not here if that's cool with you."
"Heh, you betcha." Hitomi she pumped her fist once and turned back to walk over to her father, a huge smile on her face, and was pulled into a big hug. "Wow."
"Sorry that I couldn't come and visit you." he said in a hoarse voice. "I should've been there."
"It's all right. We're talked over the phone every day after all and Leifang kept me company. And the tournament is important too. I want to win that one after all." she told him when he finally let go of her.
Joachim looked at her with concern. "Are you sure that's wise?"
"Come on now. I'm all right. Missing a kidney, sure. But I still got one left. By the time the tournament starts I'll be back in action." Hitomi bumped her fist into his chest. She kept it there for a while and averted her gaze, but still smiling.
"Thank you..." she whispered.
"For what?"
Hitomi had to fight the urge to tell him everything right then and there. She would tell him everything someday, but not today. So she just said. "Just thank you. For always having been there for me and teaching me everything."
"Hitomi..."
"I don't say it all too often, but I love you Papa."
Hitomi looked up once more to see her father smiling at her. He put a hand on her shoulder. "And I love you, sweetheart."
They didn't say anything further to one another and simply got into the car.
As they drove down the streets Joachim asked. "So what have the doctors said? Any side effects?"
"I was told I should do some sport but I think that one's taken care of. Otherwise I'm said to cut back on the salt." she shrugged. "Not that I ate much salt in the first place. And coffee while I'm at it."
"And the stitches?"
"Those will be pulled out in another two weeks. I've been told that from the looks of it I won't have a scar." she let out a sigh of relief. "And here I thought I would have to switch to one-piece swim suits from now on."
"Yes. What would your poor father think if you'd dress in something less provoking." Joachim said in a deadpan tone, shaking his head, and drove the car around the corner.
Hitomi looked out of the side window onto the street. In truth she had to count her blessings on that one. If she hadn't been healed by some of that Ninja magic she would probably sport a pretty huge scar for the rest of her life.
It wouldn't get her back that kidney, but it was something after all.
"So. You mentioned Leifang. How are things?" Joachim asked her.
"Uh, things are pretty good." Was there a reason he was asking her that now?
"Mhm." he muttered and looked up ahead at the road. "When are you going to introduce us?"
So that's what he wanted. "I'm sorry we didn't come over yet. But I wanted Leifang to settle into living here first, and then there was me getting busy with the Oktoberfest too. I promise I'll introduce you two."
"Don't worry. I can understand if two young ladies don't want to hang out with an old guy like your father." he said and chuckled when he saw her expression. "That was a joke. Relax. Just come by whenever you want."
"Alrighty." Suddenly a frown formed on her face. "Just please, please don't have the 'talk' with her."
"Wha-? Where did that come from?" he asked her. "Why should I do something like that?"
"Because you ALWAYS did that when I brought a boyfriend home. I'm not 16 anymore and I don't need my girlfriend being scared by the famous 'Buchfink Talk'"
Joachim let out a sigh and lifted his hands, since they had stopped at the traffic lights, in a pacifying manner. "I understand. I promise that I'll behave."
"Good."
"She means a lot to you, doesn't she?" Joachim observed and Hitomi smiled towards him.
"Yeah. I really want this to work, you know?"
Joachim shook his head. "And to think that only a few years ago you were just my little girl."
"Hey, now don't grow all sentimental on me. I'm still your girl. Just not so little anymore." She pointed ahead. "It's green."
Her father continued to drive.
"That look in your eyes just now. It reminds me so much of your mother." he said and Hitomi found herself wondering...
"Do you think-"
"She would be happy for you. Surprised at first, sure, I was too after all, but in the end what mattered to her the most was always your happiness."
Hitomi smiled at that and looked out the side window again. She missed her terribly.
"Of course she would've kept on and on about how she would've loved to have some grandchildren." he joked and Hitomi had to laugh. Sounded like her mother alright.
"How about we grab something to eat?"
"Hmm, sure. Could do with something that isn't hospital food right now." Hitomi said enthusiastically.
Later that day Hitomi walked along the streets, headed directly towards the university. After having had a late breakfast with her father he had driven her home where she immediately to do some dusting for the two weeks that she hadn't been here, then went to take a shower to wash off all the dust that had gotten on her.
It also made her feel much cleaner than the washing in the hospital did.
The first thing she did was head into the administrative office to resolve the issue about her weeks of absence. Since the semester would be almost over by the time her recovery it wasn't worth to participate in those few weeks so it was settled that she would continue on in the next semester and would need to catch up to her classes on her own time.
Not the most ideal solution, but she could live with it. She checked her watch once she got out of the office and headed over to where she knew Leifang would be.
And right on cue, there she was, with her back towards her. A mischievous grin formed on her lips and she sneaked up behind her. Hitomi patted her on her left shoulder and moved to the right, so that she wouldn't be seen when Leifang looked over her shoulder.
When she did exactly how predicted Hitomi tapped her on the other one and waved when Leifang finally spotted her.
"Hitomi!" she said. "What are you doing here?"
"Hey. Just had to go to the administration. Seems like I'll be skipping the rest of the semester." Hitomi shrugged.
"Did you leave the hospital on your own?"
"No. My father picked me up."
"That's too bad. I wanted to go pick you up now." Leifang said and shouldered her handbag.
"Good to know that you wouldn't have left me hanging." she pulled the Chinese into a hug, then walked beside her as they headed out.
"Did anything exciting happen?" Hitomi asked.
"During class? Not really." Leifang tapped her chin in thought. "Want to eat something together?"
"Sorry." Hitomi gave her girlfriend and apologetic smile. "Already ate with my father."
"It's alright. I'm not that hungry anyway."
They decided that, since the weather was nice enough, it would be a good idea to walk back home. Hitomi insisted on escorting her home of course, making Leifang giggle. "Like a picture-perfect boyfriend."
"Well, I do wear pants most of the time." Hitomi joked and they both giggled at that. As they walked they passed through the area where Hitomi had her talk with Viktor after she had lost it a little in the bar.
A thought came to Hitomi and, feeling braver than before, reached out with her hand and confidently grabbed Leifang's. The Chinese hesitated for a moment, but then let the Karateka interlace their fingers.
They remained that way until they arrived at Leifang's apartment.
"Do you want to come up?" the Chinese asked.
"No. I think it's better if I head home. I need to do some stuff anyway." Leifang felt a surge of disappointment, but knew that it would be better if Hitomi went home. After all she was supposed to be recovering.
"Alright."
"Um..." Hitomi started and Leifang leaned her head to the side.
"Yes?" she asked.
"Hey, after that three weeks break I need to have." Hitomi said. "Would you like to go out with me?"
Leifang looked at her questioningly. "Like a date?"
"Not like a date. I mean an actual one. So, would you like to go on a date with me?"
Leifang gave her one of those brilliant smiles that had Hitomi wrapped around her little finger.
"I'd love to!"
"Good. That's good. I still have to think of what we're gonna do. But I promise it'll be great."
"I'm sure you'll think of something. And if not, I don't care what we'll do as long as it's with each other." Leifang said, giving her one final kiss on the cheek. "So I see you later?"
"Yeah. See you later."
After saying goodbye Hitomi headed back home, whistling and having a noticeable skip in her steps. She grinned. She said yes!
Back home she started to plan their very first date.
Oh my god! *girlish scream* Their first actual date!
Oh I'm SO excited!
*cough*
Sorry sometimes I get these...urges. Well next up is gonne be their first date. I hope you will enjoy it as much I enjoyed writing it.
See you next week!